Slovak matters
Slovak matters is a column devoted to helping ex-pats and foreigners understand the beautiful but difficult Slovak language.
How to get out of a conversation in a hurry
You might be jammed, whistling, or falling, preferably without a parachute.
Slovak romance: What to say when flirting, dating, or dumping
In Slovakia, you don’t just flirt – you "hook" (zháčiť) or "pack" (zbaliť). Here’s the slang you need to play the game – or decode it.
A Spanish bird made of beef
If you get hangry, you probably feel like a wolf when hungry.
Strong as a beech, thin as a poplar
Trees provide a rich background for all kinds of Slovak sayings.
Honey on the tongue, poison in the heart
Hopefully powerful politicians learn that the handle will eventually fall off the water jug.
What to make of mak
What to do when you don't like a beloved Slovak ingredient?
Slovník is its own reward
Reading the dictionary is also funny.
Mikuláš or the Devil: Were you obedient?
In Slovakia, Mikuláš isn't just a jolly old fellow.
Vivat Slovakia: A language guide to independence
Written over 20 years ago, this article is surprisingly relevant to politics still today.
Slovak Matters: Slovak cooking lingo
Mixing up cesto (dough) and cesta (road/way/journey) may cause confused faces around you.
Slovak Matters: Sick as a dog, or under the dog?
The social aspect of being sick has changed since the pandemic, but the language is the same.
Slovak Matters: Hold your mushroom
Mushroom picking is Slovakia's favourite hobby, involving bugs, rain, cold, and poisonous fungi.
Slovak Matters: in praise of burčiak
The activity taking place in a bottle of burčiak can cause internal September storms.
Slovak Matters: learning with less trstenica and more internet
What a teacher will find in a Slovak classroom.
Slovak Matters: A 613 or bugatka car?
A litany of car expressions for you.
Slovak Matters: A Slovak's castle is his home
The fact that Slovakia exists at all is in part testament to its castle-building tradition - and there are many.
Slovak Matters: Summer clothing - or lack thereof
Reflexive verbs are hard to remember, but they make the difference between, for example, soaking in the water and peeing in the water.
Slovak Matters: What's in a town name?
If someone tells you to go to Prčice, is that a good place to visit?
Slovak Matters: Vy or ty?
One Slovak said she still has a hard time to tykať her mother-in-law after eight years of marriage, but one American boyfriend immediately started to tykať his girlfriend's mother.
Slovak Matters: Slovak rich in words for ugly
Many Slovak words for ugly have supernatural overtones, as if people might make the sign of the cross at you if you left the house without brushing your hair.
- We are partners, friends and Allies
- News digest: Bear suspected of killing man in central Slovakia
- News digest: 350 brown bears to be culled as Slovakia declares emergency
- Flats in Bratislava are getting smaller, otherwise no one would buy them
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- A paper that wasn’t supposed to last
- Newcomers help, low births don't. Population decline in Slovakia hasn't stopped
- A paper that wasn’t supposed to last
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- We are partners, friends and Allies
- Bratislava satellite town breaks records and keeps expanding
- News digest: Bear suspected of killing man in central Slovakia
- News digest: Police brutality detailed, but MPs refuse to listen
- A deadly contagion has arrived in Slovakia: 30 years of stories from Slovakia
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- France and Slovakia: Believing, loving, and working together
- Last Week: As disease spreads, Fico no longer insists on a “different opinion”
- Trading McDonald’s for the front lines
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- A paper that wasn’t supposed to last
- News digest: Bear suspected of killing man in central Slovakia
- Bratislava satellite town breaks records and keeps expanding
- Slovak dad drops everything for son’s NHL debut — even a flight
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- The Slovak-American who wants the world to witness the quality of Slovak wines
- France and Slovakia: Believing, loving, and working together
- Then … Now
- Dialects: can west understand east?
- Last Week: As disease spreads, Fico no longer insists on a “different opinion”
- Trading McDonald’s for the front lines
- Slovakia’s rising stars are changing what it means to lead
- A diplomat who thrives on building bridges…and making things happen
- Bratislava to get new flats as iconic building awaits reconstruction
- News digest: 350 brown bears to be culled as Slovakia declares emergency
- Unique underground museum in Košice reopens, major renovation set for next year Photo
- Culture minister, Betliar Museum employees blame each other for problems
- Slovakia’s Gorals gain recognition. Historians say it is a joke. Photo
- Flats in Bratislava are getting smaller, otherwise no one would buy them More articles ›
